DuPage approves $13.4 million state-of-art 911 system

Gary Gibula / Naperville Sun

Westmont Deputy Fire Chief James Connolly, a member of the Emergency Telephone Service Board, speaks to the ETSB Monday about fire department questions raised over the new 911 system, including "What's the answer to connectivity with existing networks?"

Westmont Deputy Fire Chief James Connolly, a member of the Emergency Telephone Service Board, speaks to the ETSB Monday about fire department questions raised over the new 911 system, including "What's the answer to connectivity with existing networks?" (Gary Gibula / Naperville Sun)

Officials say DuPage residents can rest easy, knowing the county soon will implement a new state-of-the-art 911 system.

At a special meeting Tuesday morning, the Emergency Telephone System Board unanimously approved the $13.4 million expenditure to replace its current aging equipment.

"It's at the end of its life," ETSB Executive Director Linda Zerwin said. "We purchased it in 2006 and there have been some upgrades, but it's 10 years old. I truly believe this is the best option for DuPage County taxpayers."

However, not all communities are on board with the system, including Naperville. City officials will be meeting with county officials to continue discussions.

The first phase of the new 911 system will provide new hardware and software for computer-aided dispatch, law enforcement records management and field reporting that will be fully integrated among 53 police and fire department entities. A second phase will share all data with the state's attorney, circuit clerk, crime lab, jail management and other systems.

Gary Gibula / Naperville Sun

Brian Tegtmeyer, a member of the Emergency Telephone Service Board and DuPage public safety communication representative, questions the cost of a new 911 dispatching system during a Monday meeting at which the purchase was approved.

Brian Tegtmeyer, a member of the Emergency Telephone Service Board and DuPage public safety communication representative, questions the cost of a new 911 dispatching system during a Monday meeting at which the purchase was approved. (Gary Gibula / Naperville Sun)

"We want our emergency communications to be a model," DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said. "This is an example of some of the things the county does that flies under the radar. When you pick up the phone and dial 911 because you've got a problem, we're going to be the very best in responsiveness."

The winning bid of four contenders came from Intergraph Corp. of Madison, Ala., which has done similar work with clients such as the U.S. Coast Guard; the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; Bell County, Texas; and the cities of Napa, Calif., and Arlington, Texas.

"This is a great system that can consolidate many agencies," Intergraph Vice President Bob Brooks said. "DuPage County is getting the latest and greatest software and state-of-the-art technology that is available in the market. If you have this kind of a complex situation, you need technology and software that can support and coordinate everything, and ours can do that."

Several ETSB members posed questions at the meeting before the final vote.

"Is there room to modify this formula?" Glen Ellyn Village Manager Mark Franz asked. "Can we increase our discount with the economies of scale?"

"While this is a big expense, it's long overdue," ETSB Chairman and County Board member Gary Grasso said. "Philosophically, we've talked about upgrade versus putting in a new system. This is the best option for the ETSB."

Zerwin said that the contract price of $13,405,459 buys a system that will not require an upgrade for at least eight years, and that several communities still are in the process of coming on board.

Glenview and the seven other communities it provides dispatch services to will create a formal plan for a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board by July 1, according to Brent Reynolds, Village of Glenview public safety support services director.

An Emergency Telephone System Board manages 911 services...

Glenview and the seven other communities it provides dispatch services to will create a formal plan for a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board by July 1, according to Brent Reynolds, Village of Glenview public safety support services director.

An Emergency Telephone System Board manages 911 services...

(Alexandra Kukulka)

"The state's attorney has gone all in, Bloomingdale is increasing their participation and Willowbrook emailed me just this morning," she said. "Senior staff will be meeting with Naperville later this week."

Grasso said: "The indication we're getting from Naperville is that it's a million-dollar item and they want to have a full understanding of what they're getting into."

In an emailed statement, a Naperville spokesman said, "The city is looking forward to continuing discussions with DuPage County later this week. We are always exploring opportunities to implement more efficient and effective systems."

The new countywide 911 system will begin phase one implementation in August, officials said.